Crimping machine



Apri! l2, 1938.

J. M. wHrrE CRIMPING MACHINE April 12, 193s.

J. M. wHrrE CRIMBING MACHINE4 Filed oct. e, 195s 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ultim April 12, 1938. I J. M. WHITE l 2,114,159

CRIMPING MACHINE Filed oct. s, 1955 swsneet-sneet s Iy H l INVENTOR:

y EssEM V HIT@ ATTORNEY crimp the forward end of the Patented Apr. l2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATE-NT OFFICE camine Mmmm:

Jesse M. White, Philadelphia, Pa. Application omhel-y ams, serial No. 43,994

S'CIaims. 'I'hisinvention relates to the art of so-called crimping machines which are designed primarily for the purpose of crimping or attaching terminals to the extremities of insulated electrical conductors, the crimpingaiecting the terminals and insulation to .positively maintain the( former in position on the latter.

Electrical conductors have for a long time been provided with terminals which have been crimped thereon, with the crimping eiects being evidenced only at the point where the terminal engages the metallic conductor itself. With this arrangement, the free end or skirt oi the terminal extends backwardly from the insulation and among a large class of conductors, particularly those of smaller diametrical dimensions, it has been the practice to leave the terminal in this condition with only the front portion thereof crimped to the metallic con.

duct'or. A

There have been certain developments in this art directed at the crimping of the skirt portion of a terminal to the insulation, but up to the present time the crimping of the skirt on the insulation has been entirely free and independent oi the operation of crimping the forward end ot the terminal to a conductor.

With` the foregoing in mind. this invention has in view, as its primal objective, the provision of a machine which may be operated to simultaneously crimp the forward end oi' aterminal to a metallic conductor and the skirt portionto an insulation. With this broad objective in view, this invention contemplates the pmllision of a machine including a plurality of'movable'jaws, each of which is formed with projections adapted to engage both extremities of a terminal to crimp thesame.

`An important phase of the present invention is the design oi' the crimping jaws. These elements are intended for cooperation with one another and when moved simultaneously under power against thev terminal in which the extremity of the insulated electrical conductor is received, will terminal to the conductor and the skirt' portion to the insulation.

.tive and simultaneous crimping jaws.

An'importantobiect to provide mechanical ofthe present invention is devices for causing a posioperative movement of the nelsl in' which the jaws are slidable. Spring means are availed of to maintain the jaws in their retracted position while cam devices are employedto positively urge the jaws radially inwardlyA of oneV another to provide their crimping eects.

I n carrying out this thought in apraetical embodiment, a bed is formed with channlsm forthe said cam means whereby the machine may be 'operated underthe iniluenee of the foot of an operator with the utmost ease and rapidity.

Prior to the present invention, it has been the practice to provide crimping machines oi this general' type with foot operated parts that are characterized by the need of the operator exerting a Adownward push with the foot. To the ends of enhancing the ease with which the machine may be operated and to increase-the rapidity of the operation, this invention has in view the provision of a foot operated device which is characterized by a .swinging movement voi' the part which engages the foot of an operator.

Important detailed features of the invention are associatedwith the provision of mechanism for operatively connecting this swinging foot operated member with the cam deviceswhich actuate the jaws.

Other more detailed objects and advantages will in'part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

a The invention therefore comprises a plurality of crimping jaws mounted for movement with respect to each other, whereby they mutually cooperate td crimp a terminal to the extremity of an insulated v'conductor'. -Associated with the jaws, are cam devices that are operated under the influence of a novel type ot foot operating mechanism.

For a full and more complete understanding oi the invention, reference may be had to the folby the arrow. i on Figure 4.

Figure 2 is a detailed side viewof the foot gaging member shown in Figure l. This-view is taken in the directionindicated by the arrow 2 on Figurel. l

Figure 3 is adetailed showing in section oi' the machine. This view is a ,transversek view taken through the pedestal and associated parts. The

plane on which this view is taken is indicated as represented by the line I-I on Figure 4.

Flgur'e is a plan view certain parts removed, l Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed showing in perspective oi the pedestal, while of the machine with Figure 6 is another enlarged detailed perspective of the cam operating assembly,

Figure 7 is a detailed showing in perspective of one of the crimping jaws,

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing vthe position of the crimping jaws just prior to engagement with the terminal, and

Figure 9 is a vlew similar to Figure 8 showing the jaws in position after the terminal has been crimped.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, a crimping machine made in accordance with the present invention is shown as applied to a table A or other suitable supporting surface. This table A may-be formed with an opening at I0 through which a foot operating'mechanism, to be later described in detail, may pass.

'vso

The present crimping machine comprises a pedestal designated II that is formed with a base I2. This base I2 has openings I3 which may be availed of to positively secure the pedestal in position on the table A. As shown in Figure 1, headed bolts I4 extend through the openings I3 and similar openings in the table top A and, at their lower extremities are provided with nuts I5. As brought out in Figure 3, the pedestal II is of a hollow or bell-like formation and has a portion I6 that is slightly reduced in diameter as evidenced by a shoulder at I1. At its upper extremity, the pedestal I I is materially reduced in diameter and which reduced portion is dened by a ring-like shoulder I8 that is substantially parallel to the table A. The. upper reduced portion may be identiiied by the reference character I9.

In the form of the invention illustrated and described in this application, the crimpage oi the terminal is obtained by the use of six crimping jaws. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited in respect to the number of jaws employed as this number could be varied as circumstances dictate.

Bearing in mind that these crimping jaws are to be operatively included in the assembly, the upper portion I9 Vof the pedestal I I is formed with six radially extending channels that are identified by the reference character 20. These channels 23 all terminate at a central point which isat the axis of the pedestal II. Drilled substantially through the center of each. of the channels 2B is an opening 2l which is of a diameter larger than the width oi the channels. In view of this Adiametrical dimension, each of these openings 2l is shown as being evidenced in the side walls of the channels in the form of notches 22.

Upon reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the openings 2l extend downwardly into the pedestal 20 to the points Vwhere they merge with angular openings 23 which are drilled in the Apedestal at the point where the shoulder I8 joins with the cylindrical wall of the reduced portion I9. Each of the openings 23 terminates in a narrow opening 24 that extends to the inner hollow of the pedestal Il. Itis notable that there is one of these openings 2li for each of the channels 20. Received in each of the openings 2| is a sprirn.,T member 25 that has one end oiset and received in the opening 24 as indicated at 26. Each of the springs 25 extends upwardly through its respective opening 2| and has its extremity projecting in to the channel 2li. .Y

vReceived in each of the channels 20 is a crimping jaw whichY is referred to generally by the reference character 21 and upon reference to aliarse Figure 7, the construction of one of these jaws 21 is described in detail. This jaw 21 is of rectangular cross-section and the under side thereof is provided with a recess 28 which receives the projecting extremity of the spring 25. The end of the jaw 21 whichis disposed at the center of the pedestal is provided with crimping points identified by the reference characters 29 and 3, that are separated by a crescent shaped recess 3|, while the other extremity of the jaw 21 is formed with a cam surface designated 32 which is designed for cooperation with the cam devices to be later described.. It is evident that each of the springs 25 affects the respective jaw 21 to maintain the latter in retracted positlon'in which the crimping points 29 and 30 are drawn back and spaced apart.

Disposed about the reduced portion I9. is a ring member 33 which has a downwardly extending neck 34, the lower end of which engages the shoulder I8 while the inner peripheral surface engages the exterior cylindrical wall. of the reduced portion I9. This ring 33 is formed with an extension designated 35 which constitutes an operating member as will be later described. The ring 33 is provided with six channels 36 which have their axis in substantial alignment with the respective axis of the channels 20, and received in each of the channels 36 is a cam member 31 that has a. cam surface at 38 designed for cooperation with the cam surfaces 32 of the respective jaws 21.

Upon reference to Figure 6, it will be noted that these portions of the ring 33 between the channels 36 are provided with openings 39 and a retaining plate 40 is 'held inposition on the ring 33 in clamping engagement with the cam members 31 by headed bolts 4| having nuts 42 threaded to the lower extremities. It is notable that the relative lpositions of the cam members 31 with respect to the ring member 33 may be adjusted and the adjustment maintained by the clamping action of the plate Ill. Y

It is evident that upon rotation of the ring member 33, which may be caused byavailing of the operating member at 35, the cam surfaces 33 and 32 cooperate to cause an inward simultaneous movement of all of the jaws-21. This inward movement is limited by the engagement of the jaws with the terminal therebetween. Movement of the ring 33 in the opposite directionis limited by the cammed ends 32 of the jaws 21 extending into the channels 36. A central cap member 43 has a lip 44 that fits over the inner peripheral lip of the ring 40, and the portion which extends downward into the ring 4D is shown at 45. This cap 43 is held in position by headed bolts at 46 which extend through openings (not shown) into the openings 41 that are formed in the reduced portion I9 of the pedestal II." This cap portion is provided witha central opening 4B and received in this opening 48 is a guide member 49 having a flange at 50 that engages the cap member 43 about the edge of the opening 48. This 'guide member 49 is formed with arfiared opening at 5I wllichis disposed above the axisof the pedestal.

Upon reference to Figure 5, it will be noted that the base I2 of the pedestal II is of a non-circular formation which provides a corner at 52 and this corner is formed with an ear 53'through which extends an opening 54. A pin 55 extends through the opening 54 and on its inner side is provided with a nut 56. This pin 55 is headed as shown at 51 and intermediate the head 51 and the ear 53, thepin 55 carries a lever arm 5B that is reduced at its upper extremity as indicated at 59. Carried by the reduced portion 59 is a roller 60 that is retained in position on the reduced portion 59 in any preferred manner as by a cotter pin 6I.

They lever 58 passes through the opening I0 of the table A and at its lower end carries a foot engaging member 62. Fastened to the under side of the ring 33 is an arm 63 that has a turned-down end 64 formed with an opening 65. A coil spring 66 has one end anchored in the opening 65, and its other end anchored in a smaller opening 61 in the lever 53. This spring 66 serves to maintain the roller 60 in operative engagement with the extension 35 of the ring 33. The -operation of the above described mechanism may be briefly outlined by noting that upon the ring 33 being swung as far in a counterclockwise direction as permitted by engagement of the' upper cammed extremities 32 of the jaws 21 and channels 36, the jaws 21 will be retracted in the channels 20 by the springs 25. A terminal such as shown in Figure 8 and designated 68 is now inserted in the flared opening with its lower end engaging the upper portion of the pedestal Il. An insulated conductor comprising a metallic conductor part 69 and insulation 10 is now inserted within the terminal 68. The position the respective parts assume prior to operation of the machine is shown in Figure 8.

The operator now exerts pressure with his foot to swing the lever 58 which causes, through the engagement of the roller 60 with the extensions 35, rotation of the ring 33 in a yclockwise direction. This rotary ovement .of the ring 33 causes the cam surfaces 3 to engage the cam surfaces 32 of the 'jaw members 21 to move the latter radially inwardly, whereupon the crimping points 29 and 30 crimp the material of the terminal into the form shown in Figure 9 in which the forward end of the terminal is securely crimped to the metallic conductor 69, while the skirt of vthe terminal 68 is crimped to the insulation 10.

An important phase of the present invention is that the crimping of the terminal in two places is effected simultaneously, thereby facilitating and reducing the cost of manufacture.

While a preferred speciiic embodiment of the invention is herein set forth, it is to be clearly understood that I am not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modiiications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

I claimzv 1. A machine-of the character described comprising a pedestal formed with a base adapted to be securedl to a supporting table, said pedestal being formed at its upper end with a reduced portion, a plurality of radially extending channels in said reduced portion,`each of said channels terminatingat the center of the pedestal, crimping .jaws in said channels, a ring disposed about the reduced portion of the pedestal and Y formed with channels, cam members in said channels, and means for maintaining the cam members in adjusted position in said channels, said cam members havingcam surfaces cooperating with the said jaws.

2. A machine of the character described comprising a plurality of radially movable jaws, each being formed with a metal deforming projection thereon, means for maintaining the jaws in a retracted position and means for actuating the jaws radially inwardly with respect to each other, said last mentioned means consisting of a ring member, cam members carried by the ring member and engaging the jaws, means for causing rotationof said ring member consisting of a pivoted lever having a roller at one end engaging an extension of the ring member, and

spring means for maintaining the roller in en' extension on the ring, yielding means for maintaining saidV roller in engagement. with the said extension, and a foot engaging operating member on the lower end of said lever. y

4. A terminal crimping machine oi the character described comprising a pedestal formed with a plurality of radially extending channels which meet in a central recess which is adapted to have an insulated electrical conductor together with a terminal introduced thereinto, a plurality of. crimping jaws, there being a jaw in each of said channels, each of said jaws-being formed at the end adjacent the central recess with a projection for crimping the metal of the terminal to the metal of the conductor, and with a second projection spaced from the rst and adapted to crimp the terminal to the insulation, the projection for crimping the insulation being removed a further distance from the center of the central recess than the projection for crimp- I ing the terminal to the conductor.

5. In a terminal crimping machine for crimping terminals to insulated electrical conductors,

a crimping jaw consisting of a bar 'having naral- A surface. 

